'It Was Horrible': Victim In CU Groping Case Speaks After Suspect's Arrest
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - University of Colorado police have arrested a man they believe committed unwelcome sexual advances toward five female students near the CU campus recently and attempted to fondle one of them.
Officers arrested Zack Halle of Boulder at 5:30 a.m. Friday at the Rodeway Inn & Suites Boulder Broker where he was staying.
Police took Halle into custody without incident. He is being held in Boulder County Jail on one count of criminal attempt unlawful sexual contact and harassment.
Students reported four separate incidents at the main CU campus near the Euclid AutoPark at 18th Street and Euclid Avenue on Monday afternoon. A similar incident occurred in November.
One victim spoke with CBS4 on Friday about her experience.
"I've never felt more uncomfortable in my life," the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said. "It was horrible."
She said the suspect approached her Monday afternoon when she left class to go home.
"He put his arm around me and he asked if he could call me babe and baby cakes and asked if he could hold my hand, and I (thought), 'This is not normal.' "
The woman said she decided to head back toward the safety of campus once the conversation turned extremely inappropriate. She said Halle then took things a step further.
"I said, 'I have to go. I have to study for finals,' and that's when he grabbed me try to kiss me and then I pushed him off," she said.
Other victims reported similar incidents, police said.
"We received over 20 phone calls with people both men and women offering details of what they had seen on Monday," CU police Sgt. Michael Lowry said.
Halle, 28, is white with blond hair and green eyes. He has never been a student at CU Boulder or otherwise affiliated with the campus.
Below is a sketch of the suspect that police compiled after interviewing victims.
CU Boulder Police Chief Melissa Zak praised the quick work of detectives and tips provided by the community that led to Halle's arrest.
"The students came forward with information that allowed this case to be solved quickly," Zak said in a statement. "It's on all of us – every member of this community – to be effective bystanders and prevent sex offenses. When someone is preying on members of our community, the Police Department will use every resource we have to stop that criminal activity."
Anyone with information about Halle or similar incidents is asked to call CU police at 303-492-6666. There is a Crime Stoppers award for $2,000 leading to an arrest.
